The circumstances around the killing of African American teenager Trayvon Martin could hold some lessons for Bermuda, according to anti-racism organisation Citizens Uprooting Racism in Bermuda.CURB president Mark Nash has challenged white Bermudians to ask themselves whether they would have responded as George Zimmerman did if they came across an unrecognised young black man in their neighbourhood at night.Mr Nash was asked by The Royal Gazette whether the circumstances surrounding the killing of Trayvon Martin by George Zimmerman and the subsequent trial offered any lessons for Bermuda.He said that there was evidence of institutionalised racial bias in Bermuda’s criminal justice system and urged Bermudians not to play a role in perpetuating racial inequality.“In terms of institutionalised racism in the criminal justice system in Bermuda, we have seen evidence that the stop and search powers under 315F of the criminal justice code have been disproportionately applied to young black males.“We have seen disparities in sentencing between blacks and whites for similar crimes. We see black men disproportionately represented in the prison population. We believe this to be a manifestation of implicit and/or institutionalised racial bias within the criminal justice system in Bermuda, which exists regardless of the presumed race of the arresting officers, the prosecutors, the judges, and the juries.”He said rejecting the concept of race is unhelpful because it “allows one to overlook the disparities that clearly exist in a variety of life outcomes based on the colour of one's skin.“Science continues to reveal more about our implicit racial biases. By ignoring this emerging science and by failing to seek a deeper understanding of ourselves and our hidden prejudices, we are actively choosing to perpetuate racial inequality. In effect, doing nothing is doing something — accepting the status quo.”Mr Zimmerman left court a free man after a jury acquitted him of murder and manslaughter charges on Saturday following a five-week trial. In February last year, the neighbourhood watch volunteer followed Mr Martin in his gated community in Sanford Florida because he deemed him suspicious, and later shot him.“Perhaps white people should be asking themselves ‘What did George Zimmerman see in Trayvon Martin that led him to believe that he was a dangerous threat?’“And also, why did George Zimmerman feel he had the right to follow Trayvon Martin (who was ostensibly doing nothing but walking down the sidewalk in the early evening wearing a hoodie), to confront him, to threaten him with violence and ultimately end his life?“Would he have perceived the young man as a threat if he were white? The opportunity for a bigger leap in understanding and self-awareness comes through a deeper and fearless examination of one's own biases. Perhaps one could ask ‘What thoughts and/or fears would I have if I encountered a young black man I didn't recognise walking in my neighbourhood at night?’“Would his perceived race matter to me in that moment? Would I be fearful, would I wonder ‘What’s he doing in my neighbourhood?’ Perhaps some would feel they would have right to challenge him and ask him what his business is.“Are we willing to even ask ourselves these questions? Are we willing to answer them honestly, regardless of what the answers might say about us? If we hear answers from ourselves that are inconsistent with the way that we perceive ourselves to be, what do we then do with that information?”Public anger mounted as police failed to act for several weeks after Mr Zimmerman shot dead Mr Martin, a failure many believed to be the result of institutionalised racism. Mr Zimmerman was eventually arrested and charged in April.At trial he claimed he acted in self defence. Many Bermudians followed the story were outraged at the verdict.